Rúben Amorim told to change something Erik ten Hag got “horribly wrong” at Manchester United

Rúben Amorim has been told he must change something Erik ten Hag got “horribly wrong” during his stint as Manchester United manager.

Manchester United are accelerating their plans to bring in Rúben Amorim as their next Head Coach after deciding to part ways with Erik ten Hag.

The Dutch manager’s exit came after United’s 2-1 defeat to West Ham, where a contentious penalty, coolly converted by Jarrad Bowen, clinched the result for the Hammers.

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United announced Ten Hag’s departure on Monday morning, sparking immediate speculation over his replacement. By evening, reports indicated that Sporting CP’s Rúben Amorim had emerged as United’s preferred choice, with terms apparently agreed.

As the club work through Amorim’s release details with Sporting, Ruud van Nistelrooy has stepped in as interim manager, leading the team to an impressive 5-2 win over Leicester City in his first game.

Amorim must change recruitment

A big point of criticism Ten Hag received throughout his tenure at the club was his recruitment – many of the players the Dutchman signed at United have failed to justify their price tags.

Antony was signed for £86 million, Mason Mount for around £50 million, and many initially questioned André Onana’s purchase for around £45 million, although the goalkeeper has since become one of the club’s best players.

Speaking on Sky Sports, former Premier League midfielder Paul Merson has explained that Amorim must make sure he fixes the recruitment that Ten Hag got “horribly wrong” at United.

“The one thing I would have to say [Ruben Amorim] has to get right – and what Ten Hag got horribly wrong – is the transfer market,” former Arsenal, Aston Villa and Portsmouth midfielder Merson says.

“Off the top of my head, I am trying to think who he brought in who was a major, major success. And that is where the problem lies at Man United. They bought Antony for, like, £80 million! That is a sacking in itself in my opinion.”

One target named

Since Amorim has been touted as United’s next head coach, there have been strong links between United and Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres.

Gyökeres has been a sensation since he joined the Portuguese club under Amorim, and with United struggling to score, the man who has 16 goals in 15 games so far this season has been touted as someone who can fix those issues.

“I hear people talking about Gyokeres coming in, who’s doing great,” Merson continued, “but why didn’t Man United buy him when he was at Coventry? I know! Because everybody would say; ‘Well, he played for Coventry! What are we buying him for?’

“But now he will come to open arms in January or at the end of the season. He is a top player.

“They’ve got to get the market right. I can’t think of two many who have been a massive success who [Ten Hag] has brought in.”

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